wednesday, february 18, 2004
sports
the university daily kansan
3B
Frie Braam/Kansan
Sharita Smith guarded Iowa State junior guard Anne O'Neil during the first half of the game in Allen Fieldhouse yesterday. The Jayhawks' freshman guard added nine points and played more minutes than in any game this season.
Freshman guard proves her worth presents best game of brief career
By Jonathan Kealing
jkealing@kansan.com
Kansas sportwriter
Through 23 games freshman guard Sharita Smith had 44 minutes. Last night, she played 17.
Smith is a true freshman from Dallas. Her recruiting class was considered by many recruiting services to be a top class in the country.
country. In the Jayhawks' 15-point loss to the Cyclones last night, Smith had the best night of her short career at Kansas.
Coming off the bench, Smith scored nine points. Before last night, she had scored two points all season. Her points ranked her third on the team in total scores.
"Coach, throughout practice, has been giving me advice," Smith said. "I just took it out on the court and played."
She shot 40 percent from the field, which included one of the team's three three-point shots. She also pulled down one defensive board.
Smith, who missed the first 12 games of the season because of an injured knee, still claims to be less than 100 percent.
"I think I can produce a lot for the team. My ability is to penetrate, pull up and shoot and to be a passer as well," Smith said.
Interim head coach Lynette Woodard said Smith has displayed confidence and been unafraid regarding her leg.
When Woodard saw Smith in practice this week, she made the decision to use her off the bench.
"She's had two great practices," Woodard said. "I talked to her before the game and asked her if she had any fears. She said no, and I said we're going with you."
Smith gave credit to Woodard for providing her with advice before the game that allowed her to produce so well.
"I'm always encouraging her,"
Woodard said. "She has a freeflowing game. She just has to relax and know that we believe in her."
Aside from the game at Kansas State, when the team was without two starters, Smith has not played double-digit minutes all season.
After this game, she may have the opportunity to show-off more.
Her play not only shocked the 737 fans who came to the game, it
amazed her teammates as well.
"She shocked me. I didn't know Sharita could do all that," sophomore forward Tamara Ransburg said.
Ransburg said Smith's effort gave the team extra energy.
"We need all 13 of us to come off the bench and give that," Ransburg said.
Ransom sale.
In the last few games Woodard has been looking for some sort of spark to drive the team forward.
"I'm glad she hit some of those
shots. It helped her confidence, and she's really going to help us," Woodard said.
This season, Smith has only been able to play one game at a time.
Smith said she now thinks that she can be a consistent contributor to this team.
"I'm pretty sure I can play more minutes," Smith said. "I'm pretty sure I can."
— Edited by Robert Perkins
The University of Kansas Chancellor's Student Awards Committee
The Class of 1913 Award
is accepting nominations and applications for the following graduating senior awards:
The Agnes Wright Strickland Award
The Donald K. Alderson Award
The Alexis F. Dillard Student Involvement Award
*The Rusty Leffel Concerned Student Award
The Caryl K. Smith Student Leader Award
Nominations must be received by 5:00pm, February 18
Applications must be received by 5:00pm, February 27
*This award is not limited graduating seniors
Forms available online at www.deanofstudents.ku.edu or from 113 Strong Hall
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